Zen garden adds peace and tranquility to a York County home.

Libbey and Alex Oliver's Zen garden is a place of quite reflection with water, stone and plants. peaceful geometric study in stone surrounded by flower beds and hydrangeas.

Libbey and Alex Oliver's Zen garden is a place of quite reflection with water, stone and plants. peaceful geometric study in stone surrounded by flower beds and hydrangeas. (Joe Fudge, Daily Press)

Diggin' In

Alex and Libbey Oliver recently added a little peace of mind — and quiet — to their yard in upper York County.

They relax in a Zen garden.

"It's a contrast to the other areas of the garden that are full of plants and color," says Libbey, a horticulturist who once designed and supervised floral arrangements for Colonial Williamsburg and has written floral-related books. She now manages the Williamsburg Farmers' Market.

"We like it for the simplicity in style and maintenance and for a calming effect."

Joe Hertzler of Hertzler and George in Williamsburg installed the garden based on ideas from Julie Moir Messervy's landscape principles — lots of geometry in a simple-looking design. An elevated display fountain is the focal point.

"Joe interpreted the design to fit the location and our budget from a photo magazine that I later learned from Julie was her design in a cemetery in Massachusetts," says Libbey.

The design started with two goals: pathways and a focal point, according to Joe.

"Pathways are the key," he says. "Without paths, the garden is simply a place to view from a distance. With a path, the garden becomes animated. Guests are enticed through it. You know the feeling: When you see a path, you have to walk it."